PETALING JAYA: As the country faces another rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases, health professionals say that gatherings held during Chinese New Year and Ramadan could fuel further transmission if precautions are ignored. “Encounters during festive celebrations once or twice in a short duration are not likely to transmit pulmonary TB. As of yesterday, the Health Ministry reported 503 new TB cases detected across the nation during the fifth epidemiological week. Consultant emergency physician Dr Aliyah Zambri said that festive gatherings held in poorly ventilated indoor spaces could accelerate transmission. She said the TB bacteria can remain suspended in the air when a person with active pulmonary TB coughs, speaks or sings.

Source: The Star February 16, 2026 06:35 UTC